Chilean Wine Palm Jubaea chilensis in the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, London.
Raised from seed in 1846 this is the world’s tallest greenhouse plant at 52 feet (16 metres) in 2004, and still growing. A replacement is being grown nearby, ready for when the plant no longer fits into the roof space. The scale can be gauged from the visitor at its foot.
The tree is harvested for sap which can be fermented to make palm wine or a syrup.
The glass sculpture is part of a temporary exhibition at Kew of the works of Dale Chihuly. The glass will be removed in January 2006.